It’s all about bones! You and your baby need calcium rich foods, and Vitamin D to help you absorb them. Your baby is developing teeth and bones and you need to ensure your calcium stores are stocked for both of you for the duration of your pregnancy. You may have been advised to take a Vitamin D supplement to ensure you are getting the recommended dosage.

Sardines on toast are an excellent bone-boosting snack in your second trimester; the edible soft bones in the fish are crammed full of calcium as well as omega-3 fatty acids and iron (making them great for eye and brain development as well as bones).

Dairy is the default calcium choice with milk based drinks and yoghurt being obvious choices. Low fat options are not necessarily lower in calcium and may be good options if you are putting on excessive pregnancy weight. Almond milk or soya are good alternatives if you have a non-dairy diet.

As well as milk, your other magic ‘M’ to remember is magnesium which helps convert food to energy. Pumpkin or sunflower seeds and baked potatoes are easy ways to get your fill, and flavoursome too!

This is where you get to eat more! 200 calories a day, and some additional B vitamins and vitamin C too.

Vitamin C can be lost in the cooking process so raw or lightly steamed veggies are best; you might want to try carrot, celery or red pepper crudités dipped in salsa, guacamole or hummus. Tomatoes, strawberries, kiwi and citrus fruits are also great choices. Vitamin C helps your placenta to develop and work properly, aids the absorption of iron, keeps your immune system tip top and protects against cell damage.

B-group vitamins are found in fortified cereals, pork (thiamine), ham, green veg, brown rice, granary toast and beans; shedding new light on the old favourite beans on toast!

Staying hydrated throughout pregnancy is as important as staying well fed, particularly in the third trimester when constipation can become a problem. Keeping your fluid intake up can help keep things moving along. Plenty of fibre rich wholegrains, fruit and veg will all help too.

Snacking is a diet downfall; when you are hungry empty calorie treats become tempting no matter how good your intentions. Here are a few quick and easy snack ideas guaranteed to fill you up with all the right ingredients. They are so tasty you won’t even realise that they are nice but not naughty!

It’s a good idea to make several meals in small dishes and freeze them so that you have something nutritious and delicious when you come home with your baby, after all it is vital that you look after you so that you can look after baby!

It is possible to consume all the nutrients you and your growing baby need with a vegetarian diet but the same pre-pregnancy rules apply, keep things varied and balanced. If you have any concerns about not meeting your nutritional requirements have a chat with your healthcare professional who will be able to advise you.

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*Lunchbox recipe alert!* Stacking sarnies is a great way to get children exploring different flavour combos. Ease them into new flavours with Annabel’s Traffic Light Sandwich Stacks with Warburtons Go go!